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Comparative evolutionary genomics unveils the molecular mechanism of reassignment of the CTG codon in Candida spp

Massey, Steven E., Moura, Gabriela, Beltrao, Pedro, Almeida, Ricardo, Garey, James R., Tuite, Mick F., Santos, Manuel (2003) Comparative evolutionary genomics unveils the molecular mechanism of reassignment of the CTG codon in Candida spp. Genome Research, 13 (4). pp. 544-557. ISSN 1088-9051. (doi:10.1101/gr.811003) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:11310)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gr.811003

Abstract

Using the (near) complete genome sequences of the yeasts Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we address the evolution of a unique genetic code change, which involves decoding of the standard leucine-CTG codon as serine in Candida spp. By using two complementary comparative genomics approaches, we have been able to shed new light on both the origin of the novel Candida spp. Ser-tRNA(CAG), which has mediated CTG reassignment, and on the evolution of the CTG codon in the genomes of C. albicans, S. cerevisiae, and S. pombe. Sequence analyses of newly identified tRNAs from the C. albicans genome demonstrate that the Ser-tRNA(CAG) is derived from a serine and not a leucine tRNA in the ancestor yeast species and that this codon reassignment occurred approximately 170 million years ago, but the origin of the Ser-tRNA(CAG) is more ancient, implying that the ancestral Leu-tRNA that decoded the CTG codon was lost after the appearance of the Ser-tRNA(CAG). Ambiguous CTG decoding by the Ser-tRNA(CAG) combined with biased AT pressure forced the evolution of CTG into TTR codons and have been major forces driving evolution of the CTN codon family in C. albicans. Remarkably, most of the CTG codons present in extant C. albicans genes are encoded by serine and not leucine codons in homologous S. cerevisiae and S. pombe genes, indicating that a significant number of serine TCN and AGY codons evolved into CTG codons either directly by simultaneous double mutations or indirectly through an intermediary codon. In either case, CTG reassignment had a major impact on the evolution of the coding component of the Candida spp. genome.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1101/gr.811003
Additional information: 1088-9051 (Print) Comparative Study Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Uncontrolled keywords: Amino Acid Sequence Base Sequence Candida/*genetics Candida albicans/genetics Candida glabrata/genetics Codon/*genetics *Evolution, Molecular GC Rich Sequence/genetics Genes, Fungal/genetics Genome, Fungal Genomics/*methods Introns/genetics Leucine/genetics Molecular Sequence Data Open Reading Frames/genetics RNA, Transfer/genetics RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl/genetics Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics Schizosaccharomyces/genetics Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods Species Specificity
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Depositing User: Michael Tuite
Date Deposited: 10 Sep 2008 12:49 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:49 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/11310 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Tuite, Mick F..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5214-540X
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Santos, Manuel.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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